Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a proposed settlement worth up to $5.5 billion (£4.14 billion) to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc-based baby powder and other products caused ovarian cancer.
The agreement is aimed at ending one of the largest and longest-running product liability disputes in U.S. history. According to the company, the proposed deal would cover the vast majority of the remaining ovarian cancer claims currently pending in federal and state courts. The settlement is expected to move forward if the required level of claimant participation is achieved.
Johnson & Johnson has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that its talc products are safe, asbestos-free, and do not cause cancer. The company said the settlement is intended to bring closure to years of costly litigation rather than serve as an admission of wrongdoing.
The legal battle over J&J’s talc-based products has stretched on for more than a decade, with thousands of plaintiffs claiming long-term use of the company’s baby powder contributed to the development of ovarian cancer. The company discontinued sales of its talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020 and has since transitioned to a cornstarch-based version.
If finalized, the settlement would mark a significant milestone in one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most closely watched legal cases, potentially bringing relief to thousands of claimants while allowing Johnson & Johnson to move beyond years of courtroom battles.
